Anything Goes for Wyvern show in Swindon (From Swindon Advertiser)

Anything Goes for Wyvern show in Swindon

6:00pm Sunday 3rd April 2011 in News

HOPEFUL youngsters danced and sang their hearts out at the auditions for the Wyvern Theatre Summer Youth Project.

Nearly 300 children took to the stage in front of an expert judging panel on Saturday in a bid to secure one of 230 parts in a production of the classic musical, Anything Goes.

Organisers hope this year’s show will be even bigger than last summer’s production, The Wizard of Oz, which was a sell-out success.

Director Rodney Howard said: “I think the thing with the Summer Youth Project in Swindon is it’s got such an incredible history.

“This theatre has the second longest running youth project in the country and it’s been a success ever since it started.

“And what I’m really excited about this year is we are doing an old, traditional Broadway musical, because for the last few years, apart from the Wizard of Oz, we have done contemporary things.

“There’s an enormous amount of talent in Swindon, it never ceases to amaze us.

“We have got a lot of new people this year and all I hope is we give them an experience that they love.”

Anything Goes, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is about madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London.

At the auditions, the hopefuls were taught an intensive dance routine and part of the musical’s title song, which they were given time to practice.

The youngsters, aged from nine to 21, then got the chance to perform on stage in front of Mr Howard, as well as fellow judges, choreographer Cris Penfold and West End musical director Barney Ashworth.

Kingsdown School pupil Victoria Williams, 14, was one of the first to strut her stuff.

“I thought it went all right but it was a bit nerve wracking because there was quite a lot of complicated dancing,” said Victoria, of Coleview.

“But for those of us who have had that bit of experience it makes it a bit easier, but it’s still very nerve wracking.”

Caitlin Wood, 15, of Upper Stratton, a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic College, said: “I was quite nervous at the start but when I got going I found it more exciting.

“I think I did quite well but I think even if you are in the chorus you can still have quite a lot of fun.”

About 20 children interested in working on lighting and sound for the production were also given a tour of the theatre on the day.

Callback auditions for potential members of the principal cast were held yesterday.

Rehearsals for Anything Goes, which is the 16th production for the SYP, start on August 14, with six public performances taking place from August 25 to 28.

Tickets cost from £11 and are available by calling the box office on 01793 524481 or by logging on to www.wyverntheatre.org.uk